Q. My mother is getting on in years, and her physician recently increased her dosage of Ativan. As a result it seems she changes from more anxious to more out of it than before. Is this kind of mood swing common with a dosage increase? Should I be concerned?
A. Lorazepam (Ativan) is an anti-anxiety agent called a benzodiazepine. That means it is related to drugs like diazepam (Valium) or alprazolam (Xanax). Experts in geriatric pharmacology point out that such drugs are generally inappropriate for older people. Mood swings and spaciness are worrisome reactions.
In our new book, Top Screwups Doctors Make and How to Avoid Them, we document mismedication of the elderly. Many primary care physicians just do not know that there are many drugs in common use that are inappropriate for older people. In some cases these prescriptions cause forgetfulness, confusion or make people unsteady on their feet. There is even a list of medicines that geriatricians generally avoid prescribing for their older patients.
Should you wish to learn more about the hazards and details about our Top Ten Tips To Surviving Old Age, we encourage you to check out Chapter 10 of our new book. We have a special offer right now for anyone who orders an autographed copy of Top Screwups Doctors Make and How to Avoid Them. This month, you can get our book Favorite Foods From The People’s Pharmacy for free as a bonus gift. This book is not available in bookstores, but will be included automatically with every order of Top Screwups!
